Nichols: SMU's comeback DBs are healthy, confident

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Louis DeLuca/Staff Photographer

SMU enters its first year in the American Athletic conference and its last year with quarterback Garrett Gilbert at the helm. Staff Writer Bill Nichols tells you what to expect from the Mustangs in 2013.

Coming back after injuries, duo adds to SMU’s glut in secondary

UNIVERSITY PARK — J.R. Richardson was set to start at
cornerback for SMU last season until his knee buckled in practice only days
before the opening game. He traded in his promising year for season-ending
surgery.

But at least he had company in rehab sessions. Horace Richardson, another key
member of the secondary, blew out his knee in the opener. He, too, was lost for
the season.

Although not related, the Richardsons became recovery brothers, bonded in
their comeback quests. They enter Friday’s opener against Texas Tech with
similar outlooks.

“You want to go out and do what you didn’t do last year and show what you can
do this year,” said Horace, a redshirt freshman from Everman. “I’m just excited
to be back out there.”

“It’s motivation every day,” said J.R., a sophomore from Baton Rouge, La.
“When I was out I thought all the time, ‘What can I do to get better, what can I
do to make my knee stronger?’ My confidence never left. I’m expecting to have a
good year.”

The Richardsons could only watch as SMU’s secondary, which also lost senior
safeties Ryan Smith and Brett Haness to injuries, became the focal point of
opposing offenses.

The Mustangs’ finished the season ranked 113th nationally, averaging 278.2
yards per game against the pass.

But the secondary has looked strong in camp, primarily because players thrown
into the fire gained valuable experience.

Jeremy Gray, a senior this year, forced a fumble against TCU and had a
62-yard interception return against Southern Miss. Hayden Greenbauer, who played
in every game as a sophomore, appears to have secured the starting safety job he
earned for the Hawaii Bowl. And safety Shakiel Randolph flashed his potential
while going through freshman growing pains.

Instead of scouring the roster for bodies, defensive coordinator Tom Mason
will have trouble doling out enough playing time for the defensive backs. He has
so much depth at cornerback and safety that he will probably redshirt the
talented freshmen who raised the competitive level in camp.

That depth will allow Kenneth Acker, SMU’s top cornerback, to put in shifts
at receiver. And safety Daniel Roundtree also has been used at linebacker.

“I really like what I’m seeing back there,” Mason said. “Having extra bodies
allows us to do a lot of different things depending on the situation.”

J.R. Richardson and Horace Richardson have competed with returning starter
Chris Parks and Ajee Montes for the starting job opposite Acker. But all should
see significant playing time as Mason rotates with different packages.

“We have so much talent back there that any spot can get taken at any
moment,” J.R. Richardson said. “It helps a lot because you always have fresh
legs, and there’s never a dropoff.”

Both Richardsons have impressed with their speed and mobility. They have
spent much of camp on the field at the same time, which is fitting given the
long hours spent recovering together.

“He was pushing me, not letting me stop, and I was not letting him stop,
either,” Horace said. “That helped a lot because some of those days get hard,
and you’re dragging.”

J.R. was so determined to make a successful return that after the bowl game
he remained on the Hilltop instead of going home for the rest of the
holidays.

“I’ve gotten tremendously faster, quicker. I can jump a little higher,” he
said. “I still have a few pains here and there but that comes with it. My knee
is definitely stronger.”

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